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We are a Sunshine Coast group that advocates for just and compassionate treatment of refugees, consistent with the human rights standards which Australia has developed and endorsed.
We support policies towards refugees and asylum seekers that reflect respect, decency and traditional Australian generosity to those in need, while advancing Australia’s international standing and national interests.
HOSPITALITY AND SUPPORT
We make friends with refugees and asylum seekers living in south east Queensland, exchanging visits and phone calls, offering practical support as needed.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
We seek the truth about refugees and asylum seekers in Australia, and we make this public in different ways including offering talks to schools and community groups.
LOBBYING AND ADVOCACY
We lobby our politicians, and use media publicity to advocate for just and compassionate treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
Meetings: FOURTH Sunday of each month, at 24 King St, Buderim.
11.00 am to 12:30 pm, followed by finger food lunch.
Email: buddies1@westnet.com.au
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Guest Speakers at Buddies’ Meeting
27 MAY 2012
Faiza El-Higzi
Manager of Multicultural Services at Mercy Family Services and
Co-ordinator of The Romero Centre, &
Steven King
Executive Director of Mercy Family Services
Faiza has worked in the public, private and NGO sectors in Australia and overseas. She has more than ten years public sector experience in Australia, providing strategic policy advice at both the state and federal levels at the Department of State Development, Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
She is currently the National Human Rights Advisor for the National Council for Women and has been the Economic Advisor for the Queensland Chapter. She was also an Executive Board member of the Islamic Women’s Association of Queensland for ten years.
Faiza founded a Queensland based leadership forum for young Muslim women, Al-Nisa’ Youth Group Inc, and convened the first Muslim Youth Forum in Brisbane in 2007. She has post graduate degrees in science, education, project management and international business.
Steven began his career in community services in Adelaide in the early eighties in a residential care program for young people in care. Whilst there, he also completed his BA Honours in Psychology and his registration as a psychologist. He worked in a counselling program for young people and their families and in vocational training for people with a disability, providing psychological assessment and group work.
He continued his career at Marymead Child and Family Centre in Canberra where he then moved into management and leadership.
Steven moved to Brisbane in 2001 when appointed regional manager with Anglicare Southern Queensland. He managed programs in residential and foster care and youth support services. He was appointed the Executive Director of Anglicare Southern Queensland and led the organisation in the amalgamation that became Spiritus. Steven was appointed Executive Director of Mercy Family Services in 2008.
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**********Buddies’ Books for Asylum Seekers Campaign**********
A big thank you to those who’ve already donated books. We’re now building up a good collection that we’ll be able to distribute to detention centres where needed.
What we need - Donations of new and used books (in good condition), specifically:
- children’s books (picture books, fiction and educational)
- easy to read books for adults (fiction)
- Inspiring non-fiction books, including books about Australia
- Visually appealing, educational magazines such as Australian Geographic or National Geographic.
Please note, out of respect for asylum seekers, we ask you not to donate any books that could be distressing or inappropriate, such as:
- Books with disturbing content, such as thrillers or murder mysteries
- Travel/wine/restaurant guides
- Get-rich-quick/investment/ financial guides
- Religious material
- Used puzzle books
- Books in poor condition.
If you have any suitable books to donate, please contact Lindel, wagtailmedia@bigpond.com
Books for asylum seekers update!
I will be working with the students and their lecturer, to brief them about the campaign. The USC students are very keen to be involved in worthwhile projects and for the past two years have initiated and run the Multicultural Awards on the Sunshine Coast, which has helped put the spotlight on the importance of cultural diversity.
This is fantastic news and means that our book donation drive will be even bigger than first envisaged!
Lindel - wagtailmedia@bigpond.com